The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 101 Coercive Buying and Selling (1)_1

Chapter 101: Chapter 101 Coercive Buying and Selling (1)_1

Pei Wenli was able to come back and hold the fort, a request from Pei Houli. He had said that the matchmaking for his brothers and sisters would be discussed after he achieved scholarly honors. Unexpectedly, as soon as Pei Qin joined in, she agreed to follow his lead, pushing away this excellent marriage proposal and laying the blame on him. Without eating lunch at home, claiming that there were still lessons to attend to at school, she headed straight back to town.

Pei Houli’s brows furrowed; he had spoken highly of this marriage proposal, and it was only because of the influence of the main branch of the family that the other party had come forward, yet it was rejected outright. What better match could there possibly be?

"At least wait another year," Pei Qin and Lady Fang agreed to earn money first and then move out to a new home.

Lady Fang was particularly hopeful that she could find an even better family; getting married at fifteen wasn’t too late, and if the family could earn a hundred taels of silver, waiting a year was certainly worth it, for they would surely find a good match!

Once the mothers had agreed, they shifted their focus to making money.

Pei Qin began spotting rabbit burrows on the mountain. Whenever she found a burrow, she blocked one end and marked the other. The next day, if there were rabbit tracks, she would light wet grass and leaves at the entrance, and with a sack ready at the other entrance, the rabbits were hers for the taking.

After several days, she had caught fourteen rabbits and got up early to sell them in the county market.

Si Ya insisted on accompanying her, determined to watch over Pei Qin and stop her from spending money frivolously. She suspected that the wild rabbits could fetch a good price this time, and she didn’t want her eldest sister to spend it all as soon as she laid eyes on it!

They also took the dug-up winter bamboo shoots. With San Ya and Pei Wendong staying behind to watch the house, Pei Qin, Lady Fang, and Si Ya headed to the county market.

The shopkeeper of Moon Restaurant was delighted to see no bamboo rats but wild rabbits instead, especially since the rabbits were unharmed and their fur was intact. "How did you manage to catch these wild rabbits?" he asked.

"With bare hands!" Pei Qin said with a smile and didn’t elaborate further.

Knowing this was her secret, the shopkeeper simply smiled and did not pry further. After weighing the winter bamboo shoots and rabbits, he paid her two and seven taels of silver.

Si Ya’s eyes sparkled as she took the silver and handed it to Lady Fang, warning Pei Qin not to spend it recklessly.

Pei Qin rolled her eyes at her, pulling the handcart to the meat stall and standing there resolutely, "Buy meat!" She was a carnivore! Eating rough grain and mixed flour every day without meat, she lacked even the energy to fight.

"We just ate meat a few days ago, and you want to buy more! A single meal of meat eats away tens of copper coins!" Si Ya objected.

The meat vendor glanced at her, "This little girl sure likes to be in charge, even bossing her older sister around! You ate yesterday, are you planning to skip meals today?"

Si Ya’s little face turned sour as she saw Pei Qin pointing at the pig’s hind leg to be cut into meat, bones included, and asking Lady Fang to pay. Remembering Pei Qin’s previous remark that she had no right to be in charge without earning money, Si Ya pursed her lips bitterly and held her tongue.

Lady Fang also wanted her children to eat well, so she paid for the meat and bones.

They then bought a baked roll and a pork bun, quickly finishing their meal.

Lady Fang went to look for a happiness shop and an embroidery shop, hoping to pick up some embroidery work to do at home.

Pei Qin, not knowing much about these matters, waited at the door.

A seven or eight-year-old boy ran up, ordering, "Give me whatever you’re pulling!"

Pei Qin looked down and saw a well-dressed young master, then at her handcart, "The meat and bones inside, surely your household is not lacking!"

"Who wants your meat and bones, I want what you’re pulling with your hands!" the young master said displeased, commanding again, "Give it to me!"

"Currently, this must be the only one in the whole Yan Country, not giving it!" Little brat, already giving orders at such a young age.

"You..." The young master grew angry.

Two servants by his side gently coaxed him, "...Master, why would you want her broken wooden frame, we can take you to see the myna birds instead!"